A library is not a luxury but one of the necessities of life! And that is precisely why the Tualatin Library Foundation puts its efforts into supporting and funding programs at the Tualatin Public Library. The Foundation believes a library is a core means of literacy, learning, community, and sharing. The Foundation will continue to support these principles every day through its giving to the library.
So, who are we, and why do we do this? It’s simple. We are eight people who live in the Tualatin area. We spend time at the library on our own, with our children, and sometimes grandchildren. We indulge in the many activities which the library offers. We check out and read books. We come to the Makerspace and invent something new for ourselves or our neighbors. We bring the neighbor because the library has a music program that day. Or it is children’s day, and what better way to get a child started than nurturing their love and understanding of what a public library offers them today and the rest of their lives?
You may wonder how the Library Foundation chooses to disperse funds to the library. The answers are many. Some examples are as follows. The Oregon Battle of the Books (OBOB) has been a key focus for the Foundation giving for several years running. Countless books have been purchased for the program and made available to middle and high school students. Scholarships for grade schooler field trips have been funded, gaming equipment for the Teen Room has been purchased, the Makerspace construction has been completed, and a Maker in Residence has been funded. The Maker helped guide people in the Makerspace who were new to some of the technologies that the Makerspace offers. While many of these programs are ongoing and will continue to be supported, the Foundation has resolved to partner with and support launching the Imagination Library for the Tualatin Library service area. If you are in the library in September, stop by the display case and have a look at some of the titles. Parents of children ages 0-5 can sign up for and receive a book each month sent to their child at their home. The Foundation is very excited to support and partner with this nationwide program for the Tualatin service area and looks forward to its start date.
Of course, none of the aforementioned items can be offered without accruing funds through various fundraising and generosity from the community. The Foundation has put on the Vine2Wine fundraiser and will do so again this year on October 12th. And this will be its 12th iteration! Please make a statement that day by joining us at the library for some excellent wine from 5 premium Northwest wineries, music by the Katie Jane Band, wine-paired foods, authors who will speak about their experiences, etc. Just as important as fundraising has been the growing support of individuals and business community members. Several have stepped up and are giving the Foundation money monthly or annually. All these funds, whether via fundraising or gifting, go into the Foundation’s general endowment and will all be returned to the community through the means mentioned above. We are grateful to all for their kindness!
Going forward, the Foundation would love to have your support for its mission. Board membership is a critical component of this. We continually seek individuals who are representative of the community and who have time and talent they wish to share. The Board meets once a month throughout the year. Of course, monetary gifts are equally beneficial and will sustain the Foundation on an ongoing basis. If you are interested in either of these options, see the Foundation website or write to info@tualatinlibraryfoundation.org, and we will gladly get back to you.
See you at the library soon!
Vine2Wine
When: Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024
7 – 10 p.m.
Where: Tualatin Public Library
18878 SW Martinazzi Ave. Tualatin, OR 97062
Tickets: $50, available at tualatinlibraryfoundation.org or at the Tualatin Library information desk.
